Modelling: An Everyday Teaching Tool

One of the most powerful teaching tools available to EVERYONE is MODELLING.

Modelling:

does not require any kind of formal degree

does not require any specialized training

does not require any type of specifically engineered equipment

does not cost any money

A Model is a standard or example for imitation or comparison. So TO Model is to SHOW the standard or example for imitation or comparison.–modelling is simply acting or behaving in a manner that you desire to be emulated by your children (your students).

When we perform a task in a specific order or style and do it in front of someone else in order for them to copy us, then we are “modelling.”

This type of “showing & copying” can be used in many arenas: at home, at work, for school, and in public (read: learning how to behave properly in the store, library, etc.).

Modelling can be beneficial as a learning tool in teaching:

academics

chores

behavior

social protocol

Why is Modelling so powerful?

Because it uses NO WORDS!

Our children are watching us and imitating us ALL – OF – THE – TIME !

Our children are also being bombarded with the sound of our voice all – of – the time!

And it’s usually to tell them:

What to do

How to do it

What NOT to do

What will happen if they don’t

What they didn’t do when we asked them to

At some point~rather, at many points during the day, our children STOP HEARING US. Sometimes it’s by choice. Sometimes it’s because they are saturated with our voices, and so their brain automatically shuts itself off to receiving messages from the decibel level of our voice. (That’s not a scientific statement, just a guess…)

Have you ever felt that your child has tuned you out?

For example:

Have you every lost your patience when your child falls off the couch because he (or she) was playing The Jumping Up & Down On The Couch game and now has a nose gushing with blood. Yet you had repeatedly and specifically directed–No, commanded, to “Never Jump up and down on the couch! Someone is going to get hurt!”

This is an example of your child “tuning you out.”

Have you ever heard the phrases:

"More is caught than taught" and "Our actions speak louder than words."

These wise words continue to echo around the earth because they are TRUE!

When we choose to MODEL expected behavior or MODEL chores or MODEL an academic task,

we can then use our WORDS to ENCOURAGE and PRAISE!

“You are handling those tools carefully!”

“I am very impressed by how quietly you are sitting!”

“What a great job you are doing on those ______ !”

“I like how you did _______!

Words used as honey will be taken into a child’s heart and will be a sweetener for their soul!